Study on Titanium Tetrachloride Catalysts for Fries Reaction.

Abstract

Reactivity of phenol esters in the Fries reaction has been investigated by using titanium tetrachloride as a catalyst in the preceding experiment. This report deals with the Fries reaction of cresyl acetate and the yield of acetophenone, its reacting condition, time and temp., the amount of catalyst and solvent, etc. have been investigated. Syntheses of additive products of m- and p-acetates and titanium tetrachloride were carried out at first, their decomposition temp. and the synthesis of acetophenone from the additives have been investigated. m-Cresyl acetates yielded o- and p-compounds, while p-cresyl acetate yielded o-compound only. In each case, the max. yield was 90% and 70%, respectively, at the decomposition temp. of additive products. The change of reaction time in these temp, ranges showed great effect in its yield. In case of m-cresyl acetate, the yield of p-compound became higher when aluminium chloride was used as a catalyst.